I received this ARC from Publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Phillip Hoose Published by Macmillan on May 12th 2015
Pages: 208
Amazon-Indiebound
Goodreads
At the outset of World War II, Denmark did not resist German occupation. Deeply ashamed of his nation's leaders, fifteen-year-old Knud Pedersen resolved with his brother and a handful of schoolmates to take action against the Nazis if the adults would not. Naming their secret club after the fiery British leader, the young patriots in the Churchill Club committed countless acts of sabotage, infuriating the Germans, who eventually had the boys tracked down and arrested. But their efforts were not in vain: the boys' exploits and eventual imprisonment helped spark a full-blown Danish resistance. Interweaving his own narrative with the recollections of Knud himself, here is Phillip Hoose's inspiring story of these young war heroes.
My Thoughts:
Immediately upon finishing this book I ordered a copy for my school library and recommended it to the teachers I work with. It was so interesting! I can see so many of my students really enjoying The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club.
I was so amazed by the young men featured in this book. I cannot even imagine doing the things they did. Their refusal to compromise their beliefs in the face if Hitler’s demands gave courage to so many others. And yet, I had never heard of them. Honestly, I didn’t know much about Denmark in WWII period. This is why I’m so glad I’m reading more nonfiction this year!
The storytelling in The Boys Who Challenged Hitler was excellent. The pacing, the information included, the layout… everything! The book never dragged for me. There were plenty of places I could stop and then pick it up later and not feel like I needed to re-read. I cannot wait to use this one with my students!
Anyone interested in WWII or just history in general should check out The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club. Be prepared to feel totally inadequate to Knud Pederson and the life he lived!
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